Based on frequent comments, it seems the general board answer is YES. Me personally? NO. Here's why:

I don't want the same bike everyone else is lusting after, in part due to its boutique value based on the price; it then becomes just too unoriginal a choice for me, and it doesn't even matter if relatively few can afford it; the common lust makes it undesireable. Sure, there are cheaper bikes that are unoriginal too, but at least Lance's bike (well, frame, anyway) and the Zurich are priced very competitively. OK, there's others way up there, e.g. the Vortex and King. But the C-40 has such snob appeal (and some of those gaudy paint job options only increase this feeling) that for this very reason it has less appeal to me, especially since you just don't need that bike in order to be the fastest rider on the planet. In fact, watching the Tour shows how little it matters, especially for you and me. I mean c'mon, if it's a few seconds over 150 miles, you'll never see it.

I can't help but recall a conversation I had with my LBS owner a while back. There was a beautifully painted Colnago (with multi-colored flowers, etc.) on the showroom floor in for repairs. I asked the LBS owner, "What does the owner of that bike do if the frame gets a scratch?" He answered, in a derogatory tone, "Get another one, since this one's not perfect anymore."

I'm not knocking all Colnago owners nor C-40 owners. But this general lust has me thinking, is this what you all really want for yourselves? Performancewise, it doesn't make much difference over other quality bikes, so I'd rather be riding a less snobby bike which is more original and esoteric.

no, not my bag, baby. nm

greg nJul 25, 2002 5:57 AM

you didn't convince me...i still want one (nm)

ColnagoFEJul 25, 2002 6:00 AM

get bent

DougSloanJul 25, 2002 6:00 AM

If you really want to be different, maybe a recumbent would be best. Now that's originality.

Doug

Well Yes and No

PhatMattJul 25, 2002 6:02 AM

I lust after some of the cool paint jobs (geo and more wild ones) But as for the bike. I do not know, I have never ridden one. I am perfectly happy with my current ride (but it is only a few months old) Maybe some day I will upgrade to carbon or ti but. Possible a Colnago, Merckx, Pinarello, ect. For know I am just going to go ride.

Matt

Personal choice.

Len JJul 25, 2002 6:09 AM

I don't lust after it.

-I don't like the paint jobs, too gaudy for me. About the only one I'd consider is the Black & Yellow (LX10?)

-Call me cheap & shallow but I don't like the fact that paint jobs are not model specific.

-I am impressed at the longevity of the frame in the Peleton. I suspect that (although I have never ridden one) the ride is pretty amazing.

I would not slam anyone for having one, it's just not my thing.

Len

Nope but that goes for all Colnagos

BipedZedJul 25, 2002 6:13 AM

IMO Colnago's are an emotional purchase where buyers are seeking the soul of Italian panache. Like everything else, people like Colnago because they WANT to like Colnago.

My tastes run towards small American builders. Again, an emotional thing.

re: Does everyone here really lust after a C-40?

netsoJul 25, 2002 6:20 AM

Nope!!!! I own a CIOCC Mockba 1984 steel, a Canny r4000si,
and I might lust for a Fondriest. Never a C40.

Nope, plenty happy with the CT1.

djgJul 25, 2002 6:22 AM

I don't really care what other folks want (and typically, I'd prefer not to know what they lust after).

Lots of nice bikes out there. Enjoy the ride.

really old technology, get a Look,Calfee,etc. (nm)

PaulJul 25, 2002 6:26 AM

Old technology?

pmf1Jul 25, 2002 6:35 AM

Excuse me, but don't the top of the line Look bikes use aluminium lugs? No older technology than that.The Calfee is a lugged frame as well. As is the Trek. Kestel and Aegis bikes are one-piece.

Lugs strong, one piece weak, ugh. C'mon, B stays, donuts! (nm)

PaulJul 25, 2002 6:46 AM

B-stay good ... C-stay soon

pmf1Jul 25, 2002 6:54 AM

Hey come one ... integrated headsets, carbon stays on ti and alunimium bikes (Cannondale has some really hilarious stuff) ... even Colnago must come up with a gimmick from time to time. Supposed to make it 30% stiffer. Yeah, right.

Even Merlin has a carbon bike. Carbon is in right now, next year

PaulJul 25, 2002 7:51 AM

who knows. Bike industry is a tough market, anything to sell. Let's face it, Lance could win on a Huffy. I'll have to be honest here, carbon rides great, and yes (gulp, gulp), Colnago C-40's are beautiful.

lance could win on a huffy? not sure.

elvientoJul 25, 2002 7:11 PM

Lance could easily beat you and me on a huffy, that sounds about right.

Paul is correct

AllisonHayesJul 25, 2002 7:15 AM

Calfee uses the latest aerospace technology in building its monocoque frames. Colnago is years behind the technology in that respect.

However, it doesn't mean that the Colnago C40 isn't an incredible machine in its own right. Technology isn't the only thing that makes the C40 an outstanding frame. You also have the experience of a master builder that just may be more important than just the latest technology.

I'll take a C40 over a Calfee any day. You have art and science in one incredible and proven frame.

i (But if someone would like to give me a Calfee, I'll be more than glad to accept it.)

I didn't think Calfee made monocoque frames

ColnagoFEJul 25, 2002 7:54 AM

pretty sure they are lugged with TI.

Look uses monoblock, highly repairable. AH, and I thought you

PaulJul 25, 2002 8:02 AM

were just a mere poet. PMF is a friend of mine, I just like to yank his chain now and then. One time I rode with him, his wife, and another guy. They all had C-40's. Just a beautiful rainbow of color. A lady friend of mine just got her new CT-1, Record 10, geo color. Gorgeous! You're right, art and science.

Good for you

pmf1Jul 25, 2002 6:28 AM

But what's the point here? You're just an original guy? Don't own a SUV, shop at Home Depot or drink Star Buck's coffee? And all us other drones out there wish we had your good taste?

I own a C-40. And you're right, its nothing magical, just a bike. You still have to pedal it. I've had a number of nice bikes and its very nice riding and definitely the lightest frame I've ever owned.

I got the boring paint job (OOF). My wife got the more decorative yellow (LX-14) scheme. I think its beautiful and am a bit jealous. There are a few that comment that its gaudy.

As far as cost ... you can get the frame, fork, post and stem for $2700 from a great number of mail order houses. The fork retails for $700 -- no one would really pay more than $350 for this (the cost of a Reynolds or Look). The stem is worth $75 and the carbon post around $100. So the frame itself is 2700-350-175=$2175. That's in the territory of LOTS of other bike frames such as Litespeed, Serrota, Seven, Calfee, etc.

So let the flame-a-thon begin. I think there's lots more folks that put down C-40's than defend them. And you're wrong, they're not a dime a dozen. I see a hell of a lot more USPS Treks being ridden by guys in Postal oufits than I see Colnagos. Maybe all us C-40 owners are posers, but we ain't got nothing on those guys bragging about their custom Sevens and Serrotas.

Christ, its just a bike, who cares what kind it is as long as it makes you happy and you ride it.

Question?

Len JJul 25, 2002 6:33 AM

You seem to be taking this whole discussion personal, Why?

I just reread the thread & my impression is that the original question was: Do you lust for the C40?

The responses have all been stated as personal oponion/preference, no flaming, no attacks on c-40 owners, so why so much emotion in your response?

Len

I think the last sentence sums it up

pmf1Jul 25, 2002 6:47 AM

My reading of this post is that this guy is just too original to want a C-40 and can't understand why anyone would want one . I never lusted for a C-40. I bought it during a special occasion (my honeymoon in Italy). I never expected it to be anything more than it is -- a bike. No where in my post did I say it was any better or any worse than any other bike.

I just get so sick of the constant flaming of bikes, components, etc that goes on here. All the experts constantly quibbling about the welds on ti bikes, or the inability of carbon bikes to withstand a crash ... Geez, just go out and ride it and be happy. Who cares?

Fair enough, but......

Len JJul 25, 2002 6:53 AM

While I agree with you that "I just get so sick of the constant flaming of bikes, components, etc that goes on here. All the experts constantly quibbling about the welds on ti bikes, or the inability of carbon bikes to withstand a crash ... Geez, just go out and ride it and be happy. Who cares?", I just didn't see any of that in this post.

I think your reading too much into it.

My oponion only.

Len

I've always wondered ...

pmf1Jul 25, 2002 6:56 AM

If they cost $900 for the frame and were painted plain yellow, would everyone be putting them down as much?

I've always wondered ...

Len JJul 25, 2002 7:05 AM

If they cost $900 for the frame and were painted plain yellow, would everyone want them as much?

Answer to both questions is probably the same.

Let's face it, spending more than $1,000 for a frame involves some emotion to justify the purchase, wether it involves exclusivity, beauty, perceived performance, or just plain attraction. In addition, anytime I make a decision based (even partially) on emotion, I am emotionally invested in the decision, therefor my objectivity is shot & I'm more likely to take negative (or perceived negative) comments personally, it's human nature.

At the end of the day, it is still a relativly cheap hobby. I belonged to a country club that cost me over $4,000/year to play golf. Even buying a c-40 every other year I probably would spend less.

Viva la differance'

Len

I've always wondered ...

pmf1Jul 25, 2002 7:12 AM

I agree. There are very few hobbies where $4000 will get you the absolute top of the line equipment. I don't play golf, but I bet you could pay more than that for a set of drivers if you wanted to. Cars, boats, houses, stamp collections. etc cost lost more and have no health benefits.

More amusing are (most) people who have no clue that you can spend $1000 on a set of bike wheels.

I guess I've had enough nice bikes that I become less and less convinced that there is a huge difference in many of the high end alternatives. Then again, after getting a C-40, my wife refers to her LS Tuscany as a "heavy hunk of sh!t".

LS Tuscany as a "heavy hunk of sh!t".

Len JJul 25, 2002 7:24 AM

LOL

It is all relative.

Len

besides if we couldn't debate things what fun would that be? (nm

ColnagoFEJul 25, 2002 8:19 AM

I just love these posts

aeonJul 25, 2002 1:33 PM

The "why can't we all get along" ones. They crack me up =)

As for my own taste, I find it strange to spend so much money for something that's almost the same as every other high end bike out there, save a paintjob and some buzzwords. The C-40 is someone else's vision of a perfect bike, not mine. And while it, from all accounts, rides as well as any other superframe, you can't get exacly what you want; you can't ask them to tune the ride a certain way for you.

Seems a lot like going to buy a red Ferrari 360, and coming home with a yellow Porsche because no one had the Ferrari in stock.

If I were to choose, I'd get a completely custom Spectrum Ti frame from Tom Kellogg, with MY perfect paint scheme, and hang it with hand selected parts, cost be damned. A personal fit session, and each tube selected specifically for my bike. Then I'd KNOW I have the perfect bike for me.

Lier, lier, pants on fire!!

PaulJul 25, 2002 6:39 AM

C,mon Pete, modesty is just not you. "Christ, its just a bike". Yeah, sure, we all believe that. When i see you riding the Litespeed time after time, I'll believe you. I'm just waiting for the colnago jerseys.

Had a decent ride last night. You might not recognize me, I'm wearing a helmet.

Lier, lier, pants on fire!!

pmf1Jul 25, 2002 6:51 AM

Rode the Litespeed to work this morning. My beater bike. Wanna buy a Kestrel? Colnago jersey? Nah. And if you ever see us riding a tandem with matching jerseys, you have my permission to shoot me.

How's the noggin? Did you have to go out an buy a helmet, or do you have a vintage, unused Specialized sub-6 soft helmet in your attic?

Doing an unorganized century ride this Saturday if you're interested and can unglue yourself from coverage of the boring TDF.

I'll be lucky if I'm ready for the Reston Century. I have

PaulJul 25, 2002 8:24 AM

3 or 4 helmets. Need them for club rides. I thought about getting a yellow one to match My Look, but I got to thinking that would be a waste of money due to the previous fact I hardly ever wear one. Now, it's on my list. My shoulder prevents me from standing and pulling on the bar. I do a lot of standing when I climb, so I'm really limited.

The TDF outcome is boring (1st place), but I've enjoyed watching the mere mortals battle it out. I'm just amazed at their strength and determination. So yeah, I'm enjoying it, and will watch it till the end.

I reserve lust for women. Not bikes. The ride's better. (NM)

QuackJul 25, 2002 6:30 AM

But of course...mine is on the way!!! : ))

kapaluaJul 25, 2002 6:30 AM

Greetings,

I have the C40 Limited Edition World Champion (O. Freire) being built up for me as we read this...Campy Record, Ksyrium SL's, EC90 bar, FSA carbon cranks...Yowza!!!

Personally, I don't care for snobs or snob appeal. I take pride and care in ownership of all things that mean anything to me. I buy things for their intrinsic value and not due to popularity. You know...there are many reasons why so many people lust after these frames.

To each their own, and let's all ride together...As for my new C40 on the way, it's going to be fantastic!

Will post pics soon!!!

Ride on!,
Lenn

make $$$$$

seyboroJul 25, 2002 1:02 PM

...anyone want to go in on buying stock in carbon manufacturing?

Negative

No_sprintJul 25, 2002 6:34 AM

I prefer Calfee or Parlee for carbon. I'd also like a Sachs and a Holland.

You've said this before, about nice bikes being faster (or not).

billJul 25, 2002 6:48 AM

With all due respect, I think that you miss the point. Nice bikes are not nice because they are necessarily faster, and I don't think that's why people buy them. Nice bikes are nice because they're, well, nice. A good stiff alu frame is going to be fast fast fast. But there is more to the aesthetic. Just like Corvettes could drop almost any other street legal car out there. But, people still lust after Porsches, and Jaguars, and BMW's, and Mercedes, and whatever, and pay twice what they would pay for a Corvette, because they want nice and they don't think that Corvettes fit the bill. They don't want to hear that Corvettes can drop them, of course, but they can, and the bottom line is that they didn't want fastest, they wanted image. Which is perfectly fine. And, at bottom, that's what you want, ET -- you want image; you just want a different image. Which is perfectly fine. I share your view of not wanting a universal, obvious lust object. It's about style as well as performance. When they match up, lay down your money and vote with your wallet. Fortunately, there are about a gazillion nice bikes to choose from, so you don't have to like this one; it's okay. You get one life; have a ball.
As for me, I'd like to try one, but lust is a bit strong. Same with lots of frames. I've thought that DeRosa's are beautiful, Fondriest's interesting, and Pinarello's sort of intriguing. Hollands also attract my attention. I've never even seen a Sachs. Ciocc. Gios. Should I go on?
There's more pretty girls than one.

I'm a Macalu Man myself. (nm)

vitusdudeJul 25, 2002 6:53 AM

Ovepriced eye candy!

BreakfastJul 25, 2002 7:08 AM

I understand your point, you don't want the same thing others lust after. You want to make a decision not based on emotion and that's a wise choice.

The Colnago's have their following and the marketing people there know how to play them. The C-40 is arguably not the most technically advanced carbon frame and is not free of problems either. I'd rather have a Calfee or a Trek OCLV since I suspect they have a better record of frame integrity.

I've talked to a local Colnago dealer who sells a ton of Colnagos and he admits most of the appeal is based on the name.

I think you are right, if it weren't for the high price, the copy written about it in rags like Bicycling magazine, and the paint job, plus the fact that so many people are driven by material wealth, the C-40 would be just another good bike.

Colnago could spend more money making the frame better technically but they spend the money on paint and keeping the emotional appeal at a high level because it sells.

my lusts lean more toward lugged steel and chrome(nm)

rufusJul 25, 2002 7:10 AM

then a Master XL might be for you! (nm)

ColnagoFEJul 25, 2002 7:56 AM

actually i'm leaning toward this

rufusJul 25, 2002 8:07 AM

a mondonico el-os. built by the man himself. i doubt ol' ernesto still wields the torch himself.

Easy cure for Colnago lust....

Eager BeagleJul 25, 2002 7:19 AM

Ride a Pinerallo :-)

we can't even get everyone to agree on rim tape

DougSloanJul 25, 2002 7:20 AM

The thread from yesterday shows that not everyone can agree on, much less lust after, any single product. So, I don't care what bike name or product you insert, your question, "Does everyone here really lust after a ___________ ?" will never be true.

One thing I feel fairly confident about, though, is that there is nothing wrong with a C40. It gets the job done, reliably and efficiently. There may be 100 other bikes that do as well, but you must pick one, right?

Choices are good.

Doug

Not at all!

JimPJul 25, 2002 7:25 AM

The C40 is a glued-lugged frame - certanly not as light as a Calfee or other bikes. Colnago has shown that they can produce some beautiful bikes (not the C40) and they have the best artists around but I am not into rolling artwork. The question of chips and scratches are "not if but when" and a chipped 1 year old Colnago looks worse than any 20 year old beater bike. I have some riding buddies that have C40s that stay at home because they don't feel they ride as well as some of the other bikes they own. A lot of money for not as good a ride? I could have afforded to purchase a C40 instead of the Aegis but after talking to some folks who had both, the Aegis won.

Just give me a no-decal Rivendell & leave me alone...

SilverbackJul 25, 2002 7:35 AM

No C-40 lust here, for a lot of the reasons you cited, plus one more: I'm sure a lot of really competent riders have them and use them fully, but to me it's just one of those things (like a 911 Turbo or a Rolex) that says, "Look what I can afford!"

no. nm

MSAJul 25, 2002 7:39 AM

whats a c-40? Is that some kind of special bike?

SteveOJul 25, 2002 7:50 AM

whats a c-40? Is that some kind of special bike?

funknuggetsJul 25, 2002 7:54 AM

it is some kind of expensive bike... look at Colorado Cyclist, they have some in their catalog. I wouldnt pass on one if I could get a good deal, but there are tons of nice bikes out there for half the price. As the saying goes... its not about the bike, right??? (As my wife keeps reminding me when the credit card bills come every month!!!)

no

DaveGJul 25, 2002 8:08 AM

If I won the lottery I probably be looking for a custom Richard Sachs or comparable one-of-a-kind artisan bike. Nothing against C-40's but its main lust factor seems to be its insane price. Riding a C-40 also carries some baggage with it. Folks will assume you are a poser and go out of there way to drop you. That's not right, but that doesn't stop it from happening.

re: Does everyone here really lust after a C-40?

PMCJul 25, 2002 8:08 AM

To some extent yes. Will I ever get one? Most likely no. I've got other fish to fry at this point in my life and a CF Colnago just doesn't fit into the plan.

What I really lust after is the new Porsche 911 Carrera 4S.

you could buy quite a few C-40s for the price of the Porsche (nm

ColnagoFEJul 25, 2002 10:04 AM

No, but I would accept one very graciously! nm

dzriderJul 25, 2002 9:14 AM

a ruby red clearcoat Kestrel...

wolfereenoJul 25, 2002 10:11 AM

rode by me last year and I said to myself, "I have to have one." I decided I'd splurge and get one for my 40'th birthday.

Eventaully I came to my senses and bought one for my 39'th... Why waste a year?!

It's kind of understated - not too flashy. It looks almost black until the sun hits it. I like that the carbon top tube feels warm against my knees unlike the ice cold feeling, no matter how hot it is, that I get from the titanium tubes on my mountain bike. But then that's a whole other side of heaven...

I used to own em when I raced

RayBanJul 25, 2002 12:21 PM

When I raced a lot I rode a C40 and it was a nice bike for a number of reasons. I don't ride a C40 anymore but I'm happy with what I have. I think WE (cyclists) have built the bike up to have the lustful cult following that it has. Its very expensive so it must be very good right?

Nope.

DrPeteJul 25, 2002 12:44 PM

If I want Carbon Fiber, it's the Trek 5500 for me, Project One-style in Pave Flambe. The Colnago paint jobs are some of the most hideous in all of cycling, and I don't think the C40 is any better than another high-end CF bike.

Not my type

xcandrewJul 25, 2002 2:18 PM

I never heard of the C-40 until I started stopping by these message boards. I do get the mail order catalogs, but the C-40 never caught my attention. The bikes that get my attention are relatively simple. No gimicks, no integrated headsets, no weird tube shapes, and single color paint or unpainted if Ti. If I were offered the choice of a C-40 or Surly Crosscheck to ride, not sell, I would take the Surly because it suits my needs better and actually looks better to me. I'm sure the C-40 is a fine frame, but it doesn't suit my taste, just like I like my old Subaru wagon and don't see the appeal of BMWs, Lincoln Navigators, etc.

re: Does everyone here really lust after a C-40?

GEORGIADOGJul 25, 2002 2:34 PM

I would take my Trek 5900 over it anyday!

Agree with you. Prefer to buy a custom airbrushed bike...

tandemaniaJul 25, 2002 4:39 PM

C-40 cost too much and you don't get the exclusivity on the artwork. Does anyone know anything about this Viner airbrushed frame?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1846555511&rd=1

re: Does everyone here really lust after a C-40?

jawaJul 25, 2002 8:06 PM

To be honest I lusted after a C-40 for a long time. I even almost took a job at Trialtir partly because of this. I ended up wrenching at a bike shop instead. I have built up a number of C-40s now and have not been impressed. They are way heavier than advertised, often come with much finishing to do, and are very very expensive.

I no longer lust or want one. Though I am not sure what I would get if I bought a new frame????